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21.0 Emergency...911 [H3.6]

Sea of Dragons Battleset - The Chinese Sea

It did not take long for the full import of the U.S. withdrawal from the Philippines to become apparent. U.S. presence declined in the South China Sea and this allowed other navies greater freedom. The PLA(Navy), under strict orders from Beijing, stepped up its patrols around the Spratley archipelago. The Vietnamese and the Philippines vigorously protested this action, but not much was done to help them. By 1998, the Chinese felt confident enough to make a determined push for the whole of the island chain. By controlling the Spratleys, the PLA(Navy) would be in position to threaten busy shipping routes; the forces assigned there would also cover the Chinese invasion of the Philippines. Once the Philippines had fallen, no one would be able to oust the Chinese from their sea.Much was carried out to ensure the smooth running of the initial stages of the operation. Vietnam was bribed into hamstringing the ASEAN response and the Philippine communist insurgency was expanded and financed by the PRC. Chinese Special Forces were clandestinely inserted to advise the guerrillas. All that was needed was a spark.

This scenario was inspired by the situation depicted in the Sea of Dragons publication from Clash of Arms.

As the Allies find success in liberating New Caledonia and Vanuatu, they now feel their eastern flank is secure enough to enable a commencement of offensive operations against enemy forces in New Guinea. Additionally, Townsville and Mackay have managed to remain intact as operable air bases after months of withering bombing raids by Indochine air forces out of Rabaul, Honiara and Port Moresby.

It is therefore determined by Allied Command that any operation to take New Guinea must start with an invasion of Port Moresby, and it must take place now. A major cyclone is predicted to hit the Coral Sea in about 72 hours. If we can neutralize enemy forces at Port Moresby and Samarai, land our forces and supplies, and secure a beachhead in 24 hours, that will allow enough time to withdraw all naval assets back to the northern coast of Australia and be secure before the storm hits.
If we cannot achieve this and have to postpone the invasion until a later date, there is every possibility that the enemy with have reinforced these bases, making the success of a future landing dubious.

Australian, British and American forces, assembled from several points along the Australian east coast, meet up and head through the Coral Sea towards the Gulf of Papua against a determined defense from Indochine air, surface and subsurface forces.

Author: Alan Caso

This is the twenty first scenario written for ANW and HUE using the customized CasoDB. The scenario and database are bundled within the PlayersDB installation file due to its phenomenal popularity and ease of use.

"With the loss of Hong Kong to mainland China, the fortunes of the British Empire appeared to be waning. At such times, profiteers often choose to strike.

Spain has long been aggrieved over the British base at Gibraltar. Attempts to eject the British have always met with failure. But the heyday of the Royal Navy was perceived to have 'passed' by those within the Spanish government. Spain will not attack 'The Rock', itself. It is too well defended. But all defenders must eat and a blockade was imposed around the British bastion.

Commercial traffic in and out of the Mediterranean Sea was closely escorted by Spanish warships, but any British-flagged vessel was turned back. British warships were forbidden to enter Spanish territorial waters and British aircraft could not enter Spanish airspace.

The United Kingdom reacted violently and a flight of fighters sent to reinforce the base was shot down. While British diplomats grope for a peaceful answer at the U.N., the Royal Navy sought a different solution."

China flexes its muscles with lots of exercises around Taiwan. Although diplomatic objections are raised by a number of nations, the exercises continue. Then, the PRC declares a maritime blockade: any ships entering the waters around Taiwan will be stopped and 'contraband' goods confiscated. 'Contraband' is loosely defined, but vessels carrying coal, oil, and LNG would appear to be favoured targets.

As coal, oil, and LNG stocks fall, the Taiwanese navy starts to escort convoys through the blockade zone. Then, something goes wrong. A convoy is intercepted and somebody fires on someone they shouldn't have. The PRC immediately launches an invasion fleet.

This scenario was inspired by the situation depicted in the Sea of Dragons publication from Clash of Arms.

PRC
ZZZZZZ 220000Z07Jun92 ZZZZZZ

1.0 SitRep:

After the initial skirmishing, the Nationalist Navy has concentrated its efforts against the Taiwan Liberation Fleet.

2.0 Intelligence:

Opposition is expected to only come from the rebellious Taiwanese as the Americans are pre-occupied in the Middle East.

3.0 Orders:

The fleet will and the liberation forces.

Northern Pincer:

a. Assure the safe arrival of the amphibious fleet
b. Rendezvous with the Southern Liberation fleet and then make the run
c. Land the PLA at Liberation Beach [Chilung]

Southern Pincer:

d. Act as a decoy to entice enemy strikes away from the invasion fleet
e. Destroy as much of the enemy fleet as possible
f. Once you rendezvous with the Northern Liberation fleet, act as a screening force

Iran and India begin a series of attacks on the Pakistani coastline in an attempt to keep US forces busy in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea - and away from Indochine activity at Diego Garcia and the Seychelles. It is a calculated gamble to harass neutral Pakistan without pushing them into entering the war on the Allied side.

For the Pakistanis, it is not desirable to start hostilities with it's neighbor, India. The nuclear option is simply too unthinkable an alternative. They can only respond in a defensive manner while hoping that US forces in the area will "volunteer" their aid. The alternative would be to formally ask the Allies for assistance, and that would break their neutrality and thus devolve them into a war of which they want no part.

This is precisely what the ranking Indochine planners are counting on - to keep the Allies tied up in the west Indian Ocean by playing this dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Author: Alan Caso

This is the twenty second scenario written for ANW and HUE using the customized CasoDB. The scenario and database are bundled within the PlayersDB installation file due to its phenomenal popularity and ease of use.

It did not take long for the full import of the U.S. withdrawal from the Philippines to become apparent. U.S. presence declined in the South China Sea and this allowed other navies greater freedom. The PLA(Navy), under strict orders from Beijing, stepped up its patrols around the Spratley archipelago. The Vietnamese and the Philippines vigorously protested this action, but not much was done to help them. By 1998, the Chinese felt confident enough to make a determined push for the whole of the island chain. By controlling the Spratleys, the PLA(Navy) would be in position to threaten busy shipping routes; the forces assigned there would also cover the Chinese invasion of the Philippines. Once the Philippines had fallen, no one would be able to oust the Chinese from their sea.

Much was carried out to ensure the smooth running of the initial stages of the operation. Vietnam was bribed into hamstringing the ASEAN response and the Philippine communist insurgency was expanded and financed by the PRC. Chinese Special Forces were clandestinely inserted to advise the guerrillas. All that was needed was a spark.

This scenario was inspired by the situation depicted in the Sea of Dragons publication from Clash of Arms.

Thailand
SSSSSS 020000Z27May00 SSSSSS

1.0 SitRep:

Following a disastrous ASEAN meeting, the Kingdom of Thailand assembles its fleet and sails towards the Maritime Exclusion Zone [MEZ].

2.0 Intelligence:

The Royal Thai fleet is approximately 30nm south of Con Son heading for rendezvous point Tiger near the Prince consort Bank where it will join other ASEAN forces. Although no enemy action is expected, hostilities are believed to be imminent.

3.0 Orders:

Sail to rendezvous point Tiger and combine with the ASEAN fleet. Command will revert to R. Adm. Suddathan.

Enemy action is not expected, but Vietnam's actions cannot be anticipated.

Protect the convoy sailing from Thailand enroute to Taiwan.

4.0 Rules of Engagement:

Warning level Yellow, Weapons Tight

Take no provocative action, but protect the integrity of your command at all times.

"The Russian economy, stressed by the demands of war, confirms its leaders' worst fears. Economists tell the Defense Council that unless the war is a short, victorious one, the economy will collapse."

Act III: Battle Chess

"Exhausted by the furious pace of combat and the horrific losses, both sides are forced to re-evaluate their basic strategies. Fuel and ammunition are being consumed at fantastic rates, confirming the most pessimistic peacetime estimates.

At sea, reinforcement convoys have become vital prizes, to be protected or destroyed. Soviet strategy did not anticipate a long war and made no plans for a sustained campaign in the North Atlantic. Now forced to do so, Soviet attack subs and aircraft must operate at extreme range in an ocean ringed with hostile bases."

"Long-range Soviet naval aviation has been a powerful force for the Soviets, interfering with NATO convoys and thus reducing NATO's efforts to reinforce and support the ground war in Europe. NATO has made the removal of the SNA bomber force a top priority."

This scenario was inspired by the situation described in the "High Tide" compilation from Clash of Arms.

As tensions begin to increase between rival factions in South America, even the smallest actions can bring on the strongest reactions. Nowhere on this continent is it more applicable than between Chile and Peru - two countries with a long and complicated history.

The two countries were at one time very strong allies. Chile aided Peru in the Peruvian War of Independence. Later, Chile helped reunite North and South Peru in the War of Confederation.

It was during the War of the Pacific, where Chile and Bolivia began a conflict over taxes levied on Chilean mines in the northern area around the then Bolivian coastal city of Antofagasta, that a rift began between Peru and Chile. A secret defense pact with Bolivia drew Peru into conflict with their former ally, and it all ended with Chile winning the day. Bolivia lost its coastline, becoming landlocked; and Peru lost a friend.

Even today this area remains a hotly contested area, as each of these countries have chosen opposite sides in this present day conflict. Ecuador, being a fellow client state of the Indochine Alliance, has joined Peru in its endeavors. Bolivia remains neutral but sources confirm it is rife with enemy agents

Author: Alan Caso

This is the twenty third scenario written for ANW and HUE using the customized CasoDB. The scenario and database are bundled within the PlayersDB installation file due to its phenomenal popularity and ease of use.

It did not take long for the full import of the U.S. withdrawal from the Philippines to become apparent. U.S. presence declined in the South China Sea and this allowed other navies greater freedom. The PLA(Navy), under strict orders from Beijing, stepped up its patrols around the Spratley archipelago. The Vietnamese and the Philippines vigorously protested this action, but not much was done to help them. By 1998, the Chinese felt confident enough to make a determined push for the whole of the island chain. By controlling the Spratleys, the PLA(Navy) would be in position to threaten busy shipping routes; the forces assigned there would also cover the Chinese invasion of the Philippines. Once the Philippines had fallen, no one would be able to oust the Chinese from their sea.

Much was carried out to ensure the smooth running of the initial stages of the operation. Vietnam was bribed into hamstringing the ASEAN response and the Philippine communist insurgency was expanded and financed by the PRC. Chinese Special Forces were clandestinely inserted to advise the guerrillas. All that was needed was a spark.

This scenario was inspired by the situation depicted in the Sea of Dragons publication from Clash of Arms.

1.0 SitRep:

The Thai fleet has set sail for the disputed region. This fleet is believed to be aiming for a rendezvous with other ASEAN fleets. A combined task force would be difficult to attack successfully, so it has been decided to attack the elements separately and sequentially.

The picture is much clearer now that ASEAN has thrown back its cloak of deceit. Indonesian and Malaysian forces met at a rendezvous point and are now heading north. They must be stopped from linking up with the Royal Thai Navy.

"The Russian economy, stressed by the demands of war, confirms its leaders' worst fears. Economists tell the Defense Council that unless the war is a short, victorious one, the economy will collapse."

Act III: Battle Chess

"Exhausted by the furious pace of combat and the horrific losses, both sides are forced to re-evaluate their basic strategies. Fuel and ammunition are being consumed at fantastic rates, confirming the most pessimistic peacetime estimates.

At sea, reinforcement convoys have become vital prizes, to be protected or destroyed. Soviet strategy did not anticipate a long war and made no plans for a sustained campaign in the North Atlantic. Now forced to do so, Soviet attack subs and aircraft must operate at extreme range in an ocean ringed with hostile bases."
"While the strike on the Kola may not have been a complete success, they have taken much of the pressure off the convoys and their escorts."

Duration: 24 hours

This scenario was inspired by the situation described in the "High Tide" compilation from Clash of Arms.This scenario was written for the PlayersDB

***** Flash ***** Flash *****

SSSSSS 053000Z20Jul88 SSSSSS

1.0 SitRep:

A French carrier battle group is assigned to convoy escort duty, reflecting both their increased value and the concerns of the merchant mariners.

Almost as soon as the convoy is clear of the continental air defense zone, it is attacked by SNA, but using new and imaginative tactics. French fighter pilots fly near-continuous patrols against reconnaissance aircraft, bombers, and the long-range, high-altitude missiles they fire.

2.0 Intelligence:

Soviet submarines appear to be allowing SNA strikes to roll-back the escorts before commencing their own attacks.

In response to the increased threat from SNA, the Super Etendards have been ferried ashore and replaced with an additional squadron of Crusaders.

3.0 Orders:

Escort the convoy past the gap in land-based aerial coverage.

Move towards RefPt UKADF as the maximum extent of land-based fighter protection. Ensure an average 15 knot speed of advance.

4.0 Rules of Engagement:

Warning level Red, Weapons Free

Engage all Warsaw Pact units.

Special weapons NOT <<repeat>> NOT authorized. Report all first use of CBR weapons to NCA via Flash protocol.

The Allied forces that have found refuge in the Comoros, Mauritius and Reunion Islands are now under constant bombardment by long-range strikes from the Seychelles and Diego Garcia. Newly won from the Allies, these 2 bases are the Indochine hammer to drive out any foreign presence in the Indian Ocean.

The mess in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf has tied up most US capital assets that are presently helping Pakistan fend off Indochine jabs. The Allies in Mauritius and Le Reunion must hold on and make their final stand with what they have in the islands.

If we lose these positions, we lose our southern flank and the ability to wage war in the Indian Ocean - and that would ultimately deny us access to the Persian Gulf and oil. Like those famous Texans, who fought to the last man in a battle over 170 years ago, this will be a final stand - The Indian Ocean Alamo.

Author: Alan Caso

This is the twenty fourth scenario written for ANW and HUE using the customized CasoDB. The scenario and database are bundled within the PlayersDB installation file due to its phenomenal popularity and ease of use.